Ferries to Channel Islands |
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| The Channel Islands in a nutshell |
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| The Channel Islands are a group of islands situated in the English Channel just off the coast of France. The main islands include Jersey, Guernsey, Herm, Sark and Alderney, and are a popular tourist destination. The islands offer a mixture of England and France, with unspoilt countryside, beautiful sandy beaches, spectacular sunsets, beautiful harbours, great food and hospitality, and endless opportunities to relax and unwind. The local language is English but the islands were once a part of Normandy, so many of the place names and local cuisines are decidedly French. With no inheritance tax or VAT, lower sales tax than the UK, and their pleasant climate, the Channel Islands are home to a thriving financial industry, and financial services are the biggest industry in the islands. The Channel Islands are also renowned worldwide for the quality of their flowers, the Jersey breed of cow, and potatoes. Regular day trips are available to both Jersey and Guernsey by fast ferry from either Poole or Weymouth in the UK and from French ports like St. Malo. |
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| Sightseeing - Some highlights |
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Guernsey - St Peter Port's Castle Cornet on Guernsey is a must see with its museums and outdoor theatre. Hauteville House the home of the famous French playright Victor Hugo, the author of Les Miserables. The house remains as the author left it and the interior mixes classical style with idiosyncratic touches. Hugo, also author of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, lived for much of his life in exile on Guernsey, writing some of his most famous works here. On Guernsey you'll also find spectacular cliff walks, stunning ports and lovely beaches to see and explore. |
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Jersey - All the islands were occupied in WW2 and the Occupation Museum on Jersey is set in a vast underground complex built by the Nazis. Jersey is also home to the Mont Orgueil castle and Elizabeth Castle, both offering spectacular views. All the islands are host to pretty bays particularly Gorey on Jersey's east coast with its ancient castle, and are also a haven for bird watchers with a huge number of rare birds to be spotted. |
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The Islands boast excellent dining at reasonable prices: from the Michelin starred fine dining establishments to the simple seaside cafe. The French influence on the islands is clear from the cuisine; often the emphasis is on simple, fresh ingredients and fantastic locally caught fish. With such close proximity to France the great food can be washed down with great wine readily available from over the water and Jersey is also home to some excellent French restaurants. Jersey and Guernsey are also home to a variety of styles of restaurant, including Italian, Indian, and Portuguese. Jersey's cows are famous the world over for fantastic dairy products, and a trip to the island really should include sampling these local delights. Jersey is also home to many 'food weeks', where some of the cuisines that influence the island are celebrated in particular. |
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The Channel Islands are a great location for outdoor entertainment. The beaches of the islands are the setting for many fantastic watersport opportunities, and hiking, cycling and golf are all very popular activities well enjoyed in the Channel Islands.
St Helier on Jersey is the place to hang out after dark with lots of trendy bars and clubs, especially for the size of the town. St Helier is small enough that walking between these venues, many of which play home to the vibrant music scene, is easy. St Peter Port on Guernsey offers more relaxed venues, quaint bars and warm welcoming pubs.
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Channel Island Ferry |
Operators |
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Channel Island Ferry |
Ports |
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Channel Island Ferry |
Routes |
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The Channel Islands offer the chance to shop until you drop with some great retail therapy on offer, and all at bargain prices as there is no VAT and sales tax is low. In St Hellier you can find plenty on offer from stylish, upmarket retailers to big high street names, as well as many local boutiques. Thanks to the great craftsmanship tradition on the Channel Islands you are sure to find a specialist shop to suit your needs. |
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The Channel Islands are a lovely mix of Anglo/French influences, and have a laid back beach and country lifestyle, perfectly suited for superb family holidays. The miles and miles of sandy beaches form a perfect backdrop to the many watersports to try, as well as a family outing in themselves. Miles of rocky coastline can be explored by foot or why not hire a bicycle to explore further afield. Sailing, fishing and rock pooling are all possibilities, and the islands have plenty of museums and parks to explore too, such as the aMaizin! Adventure Park. Perhaps the most famous is the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, named after its founder Gerrald Durrell, and home to 1400 animals, and a leader in the field of conservation. |
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